Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2011; 17(15): 1927-1938
Published online Apr 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i15.1927
An overview of occult hepatitis B virus infection
Zeinab Nabil Ahmed Said
Zeinab Nabil Ahmed Said, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine (for girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 1047, Egypt
Author contributions: Said ZNA solely contributed to this review.
Correspondence to: Zeinab Nabil Ahmed Said, Professor, Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine (for girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 8, Ossama Ibn Monkez Street, Heliopolis, Cairo 1047, Egypt. znabil58@yahoo.com
Telephone: +20-2-0106602418 Fax: +20-2-22607417
Received: November 8, 2010
Revised: January 18, 2011
Accepted: January 25, 2011
Published online: April 21, 2011
Abstract

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI), alternatively defined as occult hepatitis B (OHB), is a challenging clinical entity. It is recognized by two main characteristics: absence of HBsAg, and low viral replication. The previous two decades have witnessed a remarkable progress in our understanding of OBI and its clinical implications. Appropriate diagnostic techniques must be adopted. Sensitive HBV DNA amplification assay is the gold standard assay for detection of OBI. Viral as well as host factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of OBI. However, published data reporting the infectivity of OBI by transfusion are limited. Several aspects including OBI transmission, infectivity and its relation to the development of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma have to be resolved. The aim of the present review is to highlight recent data on OBI with a focus on its virological diagnosis and clinical outcome.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Occult infection; Occult hepatitis B virus infection; Occult hepatitis B; Chronic liver disease; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Hepatitis B surface antigen